Weighing apparatus



Jan. 6, 1948. P. B. RICHARDSON WEIGHING APPARATUS Fil'ed May 10,- 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 6, 1948.

P. B. RICHARDSON WEIGHING APPARATUS Filed May 10, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 6, 1948. p, 1 5 2,434,177

WEIGHING APPARATUS Filed May 10, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet s Jan. 6,' 1948. P. B. RICHARDSON WEIGHING APPARATUS Filed May 10, 1944 5 Sheets-$11981. 4

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' Gateways Jan. 6, 1948. P. B. RICHARDSON WEIGHING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 10, 1944 Patented Jan. 6, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WEIGHING APPARATUS Application May 10,1944, Serial No. 534,933

18 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to improvements in weighing machines, and more especially to those of the automatic type in which the weighing and discharging operations are performed successively and automatically under control of the weighing mechanism.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a weighing machine of this type which is capable of rapidly and accurately weighing materials which can not be fed regularly or smoothly and which cling more or less to the weighing element of the machine, such for example as ore containing large lumps, fines and mud.

Heretofore, in weighing machines employed for weighing materials which flow smoothly, overfeed of material to the weigh receptacle has been avoided by compensating for the falling material at the moment the feed is cut off, but such compensation can not be employed in weighing materials which contain large lumps, and materials which contain mud or other clingy or sticky material could not be weighed accurately because such material adheres to the weigh receptacle so that all of the weighed material is not fully discharged. These difficulties are overcome by the present invention, which enables such lumpy or sticky materials to be weighed rapidly and accurately. According to the present invention, the material may be fed without compensation to the weigh receptacle to make up a load which includes the predetermined desired weighing and a predetermined permanent residue, the total load is balanced by the weighing mechanism and the feed cut off, the amount of over-feed represented by the material falling to the weigh receptacle at the moment of cut-off is balanced out, and an amount of the material of the desired predetermined weight is then discharged from the weigh receptacle, leaving thereon the predetermined permanent residue, and the amount of over-feed.

Certain features of the invention are especially applicable to automatic weighing machines of the type embodying weighing means which can be discharged by any suitable form of discharge means under control of the weighing mechanism.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the weighing mechanism comprises main and tare beams which conjointly support the weigh receptacle but are freely movable independently of one another, the tare beam being counterweighted to balance a predetermined permanent residue which will include the material clinging to the weigh receptacle, and the main beam being counterweighted to balance said permanent residue and the desired predetermined weighing, and a shelf lever connected to the main and tare beams and having a poise which travels thereon to balance out the amount of material over-fed to the weigh receptacle, means being provided for automatically stopping the feed of material when the main beam comes to balance and operating the poise on the shelf lever to balance out the over-feed of material, and for discharging material from the weigh receptacle until the desired predetermined weighing has been discharged. Accurate wcighings are thus attained although the material being fed to the weigh receptacle at the moment of stopping of the feed is not compensated for, and irrespective of the amount of material that may adhere to the weigh receptacle as a residue after each discharge.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is an elevation of the weighing machine of the conveyor type to which the present invention is shown applied.

Figure 2 is a top plan of the machine.

Figure 3 is an elevation of the weighing mechanism.

Figure 4 is a top plan of the shelf lever and poise, and associated operating motor and limit switches.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the shelf lever, and the traveling poise thereon.

Figure 6 is a vertical section taken on the line 6-6 in Fig. 5.

Figures 7 and 8 are detail views of the limit switches for the travelling poise.

Figure 9 is an electrical diagram, showing the operating and controlling circuits.

Similar parts are designated by the same ref erence characters in the several views.

The invention is shown applied in the present instance to a weighing machine having a weigh receptacle in the form of an endless belt conveyor l0 mounted to travel over a head pulley H and a tail pulley l2, these pulleys being journaled in an inclined frame I3 having sides for confining the material to the conveyor. The head pulley II at the upper end of the frame is provided with an electric motor I4 having a suitable reduction gearing I5 and sprocket l6 for driving the head pulley through a chain I! and a sprocket wheel 18 fixed to the head pulley, and thereby cause discharge of material over the head pulley and into a suitable chute 8. A spring actuated scraper 9 may be arranged to act on the conveyor belt below the head pulley to prevent excess accumulation of muddy or sticky material on the conveyor belt. The conveyor supporting frame is suspended at its sides from suitable scale mechanism, such as a pair of levers I9 and 29 suspended by rods 2| and 22 from a support 23, the frame is being suspended from said levers by rods 24 and 25, and said levers being connected together by a shackle 26. The weigh beams are contained in a beam box 21 supported in a relatively fixed frame 28, and are connected to the conveyor supporting levers by a rod 29. The material to be weighed is fed to the tail end of the weigh conveyor by a feed conveyor 39, which may be of any suitable construction but is preferably of the endless belt type and provided with an electric motor 3| for operating it in a direction to feed the material over the head pulley onto the tail end of the Weigh conveyor I9.

The weighing mechanism in the beam box, as shown in Fig. 3, comprises generally a main beam 35, a tare beam 35 and a shelf lever which comprises a pair of members 31 and 37 rigidly connected by cross members 31 The rod 29 is connected by the shackle 38 to one end of the member 31 of the shelf lever, both members of this lever being fulcrumed by their knife edges 39 on bearings 4D fixed to the bottom of the beam box, and the member 37 of the shelf lever is connected by a shackle 4i and knife edges 42 and 42 to a lever 43 at a point between its ends. One end of the lever 43 is connected by the turn-buckle 44 and shackles to one end of the tare beam 36 which is fulcrumed by its knife edges 45 on bearings 46 on a rod 41, the latter being fixed to the top of the beam box, the other end of the tare beam being provided with counterweights w, the swing of this beam being limited by upper and lower stops 48 and 49. The other end of the lever 43 is connected by the turn-buckle 50 and shackles to one end of the main beam 35 which is fulcrumed by its knife edges 5| on bearings 52 supported by the rod 41, the other end of the main beam being provided with counter-weights W. The main beam may be provided with a slidable poise 53 for fine adjustments of the counte'rweighting thereof, and the swinging movements of the main beam are limited by upper and lower stops 54 and 55.

The counterweight w for the tare beam is of a value sufficient to over-balance any probable residue, such as sticky material that'may adhere to the weigh conveyor or fail to discharge therefrom, and the weight W for the main beam is of a value equal to the counterweight w "on the tare beam plus an amount equal to that required to balance the desired predetermined weighings.

The main beam 35 is pivotally connected to a rod 55 which is pivotally connected to a switch member 56, the latter being pivoted at 51 to a switch base 53 secured in the beam box, the pivoted switch member carrying a pair of mercury switches 59 and '63 arranged in reverse relation thereon, so that the switch 59 will be opened and the switch 60- closed when the main beam swings into balanced position, and the switch 59 will be closed and the switch 69 opened when the main beam rises toward or against the upper stop 54. The switch member 56 preferablyhas a lever 6| fixed thereto to rock therewith, this lever having a compensating weight or poise 62 adjustable slidably thereon, for a purpose hereinafter described.

The tare beam 36 has a pendant 65 pivotally suspended therefrom and provided with a set screw '55 arranged to engage a pin 61 projecting laterally froma compensating lever 68 and thereby apply a'force to the tare beam tending to bring it to balance, while the tare beam is in its raised position, The compensating lever is pivoted at 69 on a bracket 10 supported in fixed position in the beam box, the bracket having a pair of set screws 'II and I2 which limit the swinging movements of this lever. A pair of weights I3 and I4 are mounted on the lever 68 at opposite sides of its pivot, the weight 'I'3 being adjustable along this lever toward or from its pivot to compensate for light or heavy weighings. A counter 15 of any well known type may be connected by a rod 16 to this compensating lever for registering the number of weighings by the machine.

The compensating lever is pivotally connected to a rod the upper end of which is pivotally connected to a switch member 8| pivoted at 82 on a switch base 83 fixed in the beam box, this switch member carrying a pair of mercury switches 84 and 85 arranged in reverse relation thereon so that the switch 84 is closed and the switch 85 opened when the tare beam swings into balanced position, and the switch 84 is opened and the switch 85 is closed when the tare beam rises toward or against its upper stop 48.

The member 31 of the shelf lever has a poise mounted to travel thereon, it being supported by a pair of upper rollers 9I which ride on the upper edge of this member, and a lower roller 92 is provided which is journaled on an arm 93 (Fig. 5) pivoted on a bolt 94, a spring 95 being attached to the poise by a pin 96 and to the arm 93 by a pin '97 and acting to press the roller 92 against the lower edge of the member 31 and thereby prevent tilting of the poise on said member. The poise is caused to travel along the member 3'! of the shelf lever by an endles chain 98 which is connected to the poise by clip's98 and passes around a pair of sprocket wheels 99 and I00 journaled on bolts IOI and I92 secured to this member of the shelf lever,

the bolt IUI being adjustable in a longitudinal slot I93 in the member 31 by a screw I94 for the purpose of taking up slack in the chain, and clamped in adjusted position by a bolt I05 which engages in a plate I96 connected to the bearing bolt IBI.

The sprocket I09 is driven by another sprocket I9 to which it is fixed, and by a chain I08 which meshes with a sprocket 199 on the output shaft of a suitable reduction gearing III] carried by a reversible electric motor I -II which is preferably of the type having two armatures wound respectively for rotation in opposite directions and housed in a single casing. This motor may be supported 'on the shelf lever by a bracket II2 bolted or otherwise fixed to one of the cross members 31*.

A pair of limit "switches I I3 and H4 (Fig. 4) are mounted on the shelf lever, as by brackets II 5 and H6 secured to the shelf lever member 37. The operating shaft II! of the switch I I3, which is located near the free end of the shelf lever, has an arm -I'I 8 fixed thereto and carrying a roller IIS arranged to be engaged and lifted by a cam I29 secured to the poise 90 when the latter approaches or assumes its zero position adjacent to the left hand of the shelf lever as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The operating shaft IZI of the switch II4 which is located toward the fulcrum of the shelf lever, has an arm I22 fixed thereon and carrying a roller I23 arranged to be engaged and lifted by the cam I20 when the poise 90 apis held in engagement with a contact I26 while the poise is in its zero position and the roller II9 lifted by the cam I20 but disengaging therefrom and engaging a contact I21 when the poise advances from its zero position. The limit switch II4, shown in Fig. 8, has a contact arm I28 fixed on its operating shaft I2 I, this contact arm normally engaging a contact I29 but disengaging therefrom when the poise reaches or passes the limit of its advance and the cam I20 on the poise lifts the roller I23. A warning signal, such as an electric bell, is preferably associated with the limit switch I I4 to give warning to the attendant should, through accident, the overfeed supplied to the weigh conveyor exceed the amount the poise is capable of balancing out, the warning bell being operated, for example, by the cam I20 when it lifts the roller I23, thereby disengaging the contact arm I28 from the contact I29 and engaging it with a contact I30 controlling the circuit of the warning bell. A suitable terminal block I40 is preferably mounted in the beam box for the connections of the electrical conductors for the motor and the various switches in this box.

The beam controlled switches 59, 60, 84 and 85 and limit switches H3 and I I4, and the poise operating motor III are connected in an electrical system with the electric feed motor 3| and electric discharge motor I4, whereby all of the operations of the machine are performed automatically in the proper sequence. In the electrical diagram shown in Fig. 9, the system is supplied, for example, with electric current from a three-phase power supply L L and L represent the main power lines which are led to a feed motor starter switch I50 having three pairs of contacts for connecting the power lines to the respective terminals of the feed motor 3|, this switch being normally open and provided with a solenoid I5I which, when energized, closes this switch to supply operating current to the feed motor. The main power lines are also led to a discharge motor starter switch I52 having three pairs of contacts for connecting the power lines to the respective terminals of the discharge motor I4, this switch being normally open and provided with a solenoid I53 which, when energized, closes this switch to supply operating current to the discharge motor.

The electric current for controlling the system and for operating the poise motor is preferably of a lower voltage than that of the main power lines but may be derived therefrom, it being supplied, for example, by conductors I54 and I55 from pair of the main power lines to the primary of a transformer T the secondary of which is connected by conductors I56 and I 51 to a manual controlling switch I58.

One terminal of the solenoid I5I of the feed motor switch I50 is connected by a conductor I60 to the contact IBI of the switch I58, and the other terminal of this solenoid is connected by a conductor I62 to one of the contacts of the main beam switch 60, the other contact of the latter switch being connected by conductor I63 to the contact I26 of the limit switch H3. The contact arm I25 of limit switch I I 3 is connected by a conductor I64 to the contact I29 of the limit switch H4, and the contact arm I28 of the latter limit switch is connected by a conductor I65 to the other contact I66 of the switch I58.

The forward running of the poise motor III is controlled by a switch I having a pair of contacts HI and I12 which are normally closed, and another pair of contacts I13 and I14 which are normally open, this switch having a solenoid I15 which, when energized, opens the contacts HI and I12 and closes the contact I13 and I14. The contact I" is connected by a conductor I16 to one contact of the tare beam switch 85, the other contact of this switch being connected by conductors I11 and I18 to the contact I 21 of the limit switch II3, the contact arm I25 of this limit switch being connected to the switch contact I66 by the conductor I64, contact I29 and contact arm I28 of the limit switch H4 and conductor I65. The solenoid I15 of the switch I10 is connected in a circuit which includes a conductor I19 leading from the contact I6I of switch I58, conductor I45 which is connected to one contact of the switch 59, and conductor I46 which leads from the other contact of switch 59 to the contact I29 of limit switch II4, the latter contact being connected by the contact arm I28 and conductor I65 to the contact I66 of the switch I58.

The contact I13 of switch I10 is connected by a conductor I to one terminal of the forward winding F of the poise motor III, the other terminal of this winding being connected by conductors I8I and I82 to the contact I6I of the switch I58. The other contact I14 of the switch I10 is connected by the conductor I83 to the contact I66 of the switch I58.

The reverse running of the poise motor III is controlled by a switch I85, This switch comprises a pair of contact I86 and I81, the former connected by a conductor I88 to the contact I12 of the switch I10, a pair of contacts I89 and I90, the contact I89 being connected by a conductor I9I to the contact I21 of limit switch H3, and the contact I90 being connected by a conductor I92 to one contact of the tare beam switch 84, the other contact of the latter switch being connected by conductors I18 and I9I through contact I21 of limit switch II3 to contact I89 of switch I 85. Contact I90 of switch I is also connected by a conductor I92 to one terminal of a solenoid I94 for this switch, the other terminal of this solenoid being connected by conductors I82 and I82 to the contact I6I of the switch I58. The solenoid I94, when energized, opens the contacts I86 and I81 and closes the contacts I89 and I90, and while the contact arm I25 of limit switch II3 engages the contact I21, as while the poise is removed from its zero position, the solenoid I94 will be maintained in an energized condition and will hold closed the contacts I89 and I 90 of this switch, and also a pair of contacts 293 and 294 of this switch. Contact 293 is connected by a conductor I95 to one terminal of the reverse winding R of poise motor I I I, the other terminal of this winding being connected by conductors I8I and. I82 to the contact I6I of the switch I58. The contact 294 of switch I85 is connected by a conductor I98 to the contact I 66 of the switch I 58. The contact I81 of switch I85 is connected by a conductor I91 to one terminal of the solenoid I53 of the discharge controlling switch I52, the other terminal of this solenoid being connected by a conductor I99 and conductor I82 to the contact I6I of the switch I58. A warning ignal, such as an electric bell 200, is preferably employed to inform the attendant when the poise has reached or passed the limit of its advance and is not capable of balancing the load on the weigh conveyor, so that the attendant may take proper steps to remedy the condition. As shown, one terminal of the bell is connected to the contact I30 of the limit switch II4 by a conductor 20I and the other terminal of the bell is connected to the contact I6'I of the switch I58 asby'a'con'duc'tor 202 connected to the conductors I8I and I82. The contact I30 will be engaged by the contact arm I28 of the limit switch '4 when the latter is operated by the poise as it reaches or passes the limit of its advance, thereby completing a circuit through the conductor I65 to the other contact I66 of the switch I58.

The operation of a weighing machine constructed as shown and hereinbefore described is as follows:

The counterweight W for the tare beam 36 :is made up of weights of a value to balance the proportion of a predetermined permanent residue supported by the tare beam which will be sumcient to offset the sticking of mud 'or similar material on the weigh conveyor Ii) and'to insure a full discharge stream therefrom; and the counterweight W for the main beam 35 is made up of weights of a value to balance the proportion of such predetermined residue supported by the main beam and also weigh weights of a value to balance the weight of material desired for each discharge. For example, if each weighing is to be 1500 pounds, the counterweight w for the tare beam may be of such a value that the tare beam will come to balance when the weigh conveyor contains a residue of 10000 pounds, and the counterweight W for the main beam of such a value that it will come to balance when the weigh conveyor contains 25000 pounds of material.

At the commencement of each weighing operation following each discharge of material from the weigh conveyor, the main beam will rest on its lower stop 55 and the tare beam will be in balance, so that the beam switches 60 and 8'4 will be closed and the switches 59 and 85 will be open, and the poise 90 on the shelf lever will occupy its zero position adjacent to the free end of the shelf lever, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and the contact arm I25 of the limit switch H3 will be held in engagement with the contact 126 by the engagement of the cam I20 with the roller H9, and the arm I28 of the limit switch "Ill will engage the contact I29. Manual closing of the switch I58 will then cause the feed motor switch I50 to close and thus complete the operating circuit from the power lines U, L and L to the feed motor 3! which drives the feed conveyor 30, under control of a circuit leading from the switch contact I'6I through conductor I50 and solenoid I5I 'of the feed motor controlling switch 150, thence by conductor I62 to switch '69 and from thellatt'er by conductor I63 to contact I26 and contact arm I25 of limit switch "H3, thence by conductor I64 to contact I 29 and through con tact arm I28 of limit switch I I4 and then by conductor I65 to contact I66 of switch I58. The feed conveyor is thus set into operation to feed materi'al therefrom onto the scale supported wei h conveyor II], which is then at rest, and this feeding operation continues until the weight or terial for which the main beam is set, for example 2500 pounds, has been fed to the wei h conveyor, whereupon the main beam rises, opening the switchfii! and thereby dc-energizing the solenoid I-SI and thus allowing the feed controlling switch I50 to return to its normally position, in consequence of which the operation of the feed conveyor is stopped. However, although the feed conveyor is stopped at the moment the weight of material balanced by the counterweight W of the main beamhasbeenxreceived by the weigh conveyor, additional material, which may amount to 200 to 300 pounds, falls from the feed conveyor onto the weigh conveyor, and as such material falling after the stoppage of the feed conveyor is not compensated for, the 'materialon the weigh conveyor is a heavy weighing or exceeds the desired weighing.

Rising of the main beam closes the switch 59, thereby causing the:.poise 90 to advance along the shelf lever toward its fulcrum to balance'out the-overweight of material on the weigh conveyor and bring the beams to balance, closing of the switch 59 completing an electric circuit through the noise motor I II 'to operate it in the forward or 'lpoise advancing direction, said circuit leading from the switch contact 'IGI through conductor I19 and solenoid I15 of forward motor controlling switch I10, thence from said solenoid by conductor M5 to closed main beam switch 59, and from the latter by conductor I46 to contact I29 of'limit switch III which is normally closed, and by contact arm I28 and conductor I 65 to the other'conta'ct I56 of the switch I58. The consequent energizing of the solenoid I15 operates the switch I'I0 to disconnect its normally closed contacts I11 and I12 and to close its contacts I13 and I'M. A circuit for the forward winding of .the poise motor II I is thus completed from the contact lBl of switch I58 through conductors I82 and I8I to one terminal of forward poise motor winding F, andfrom the other terminal of this winding by conductor I to contacts Il3an'd I" and from the latter contact by conductor I83 to the other contact I66 of switch I58. The poise motor is thus caused to operate to advance the poise along the shelf lever from its zero or starting position toward the fulcrum of the shelf lever, and the advance of the poise-continues until the poise has balanced out the weight of material in excess of the predetermined amount balanced by-the counterweight W of the main beam, and the main beam then returns to balance.

Return of the main beam to balance opens the switch 59and closes the switch '60. Opening of the switch '59 breaks the circuit through and de-energizes the solenoid I15, thereby causing'the switch I10 to return'to itsnormal position, opening the contacts I73 and I14, thereby breaking the circuit through the forward poise motor winding F and thus stopping the advance "of the poiseyand closing the contacts Ill andI'lZ. The machine is then ready to discharge the desired predetermined weight of material from the weigh conveyor, the discharge taking .place while the poise '90 is in the position into which it was advanced to bring themain beam to balance. The discharge of material from the weigh conveyor is effected by operation of the discharge .motor 1'4 under cont'r'ol of the switch I52 through which power 'is supplied to said motor from the power lines L L and L The solenoid I53 of this switch is energized from the contact IGI of the switch I58 through conductors I82 and I99, and through the conductor I91 which connects it to the contact IBI of switch I 85, the solenoid I94 of which, at this time, is deenergized and the contacts I and I8! are closed as the tare beam switch 84 connected in circuit therewith is then open since the tare beam is in raised position. This circuit is thus closed through the contacts I53 and 58?, and through conductor I88 and closed contacts I'II and I12 of "switch ITO which is then =deenergized,conductor "I16, tare beam switch 85 which at'this time is closed, thence by conductors I11 and I18 to contact I21 of limit switch II3 which is engaged by the contact arm I25 of this switch while the poise is advanced from its zero or starting position, thence by conductor I64 to contact I29 of limit switch IE4 which is normally engaged by the contact arm I28, and by conductor I 65 to the contact 586 of switch I58.

The weigh conveyor is driven by the discharge motor I4 controlled by the circuit just described to weigh out or discharge an amount of material therefrom equal to the desired predetermined weighing, or 1500 pounds in the example assumed, whereupon the tare beam comes to balance and the operation of the weigh conveyor is stopped to interrupt the discharge, The stopping of the discharge of material from the weigh conveyor is effected by opening of the switch 85 by the tare beam when it comes to balance, breaking of the circuit of the solenoid I53 by the opening of this switch de-energizing it and causing the switch I52 to open, thus cutting on the power from the discharge motor I4.

After the desired predetermined Weight of material has been discharged from the weigh conveyor, the poise 99 is returned to its zero or starting position. As previously stated, during the discharge of material from the weigh conveyor, the poise remains in the position to which it was advanced to balance out the overweight. This is because the solenoid I94 for the switch I85, the contacts 293 and 294 of which control the reverse winding R of the poise motor, is deenergized due to the open condition of the switch 84 while the tare beam is in raised position. However, when the tare beam comes to balance in consequence of the discharge of the desired predetermined weight of material from the weigh conveyor, the switch 84 is closed. The solenoid I94 of the switch I85 controlling the reverse winding R of the poise motor is then energized through conductors I82 and I82 leading thereto from the contact I6I of switch I58, and through conductors I92 and I92, switch 84, conductor I18, contact I21 and contact arm I25 of limit switch II3 which are then engaged, conductor I64, contact I29 and contact arm I28 of limit switch II4 which is then closed, and by conductor I65 to contact I66 of switch I58. Energizing of the solenoid I 94 operates the switch I85 to close the contacts 293 and 294 thereof, thereby completin an operating circuit from contactIBI of switch I58 through conductors I82,

and I8l to one terminal of reverse Winding R, of the poise motor, and from the other terminal of this winding through conductor I95 and closed contacts 293 and 294, then by conductor I98 to the other contact I66 of switch I58. Energizing of the solenoid I94 also causes the switch I85 to engage the contacts I89 and I90, thereby completing a holding circuit for this solenoid from terminal IBI through conductors I82, I82 and I92 and I9I to contact I21, thus maintaining the contacts 293 and 294 closed. The reverse winding R of poise motor III is thus rendered effective to return the poise 90 to its zero or starting position on the shelf lever, and as the poise reaches such position, the cam I28 on the poise operates the limit switch II3 to disengage the contact arm I25 thereof from the contact I21, thereby breaking the energizing circuit of the solenoid I94. The consequent deenergizing of this solenoid causes the switch I85 to open the contacts 293 and 294 thereof, thus breaking the circuit through the reverse winding R of the poise motor and stopping the reverse or return movement of the poise when it reaches its zero or starting position. Operation of the limit switch II3 by the cam to disengage its contact arm I25 from the contact I21 engages said contact arm with the contact I26 of this switch, thus preparing the system for the next subsequent cycle of operations which will be repeated automatically while the controlling switch I58 is closed.

Since the contact arm I25 engages the contact 526 of the limit switch only while the poise is in zero position, the operation of the feed conveyor is confined to the period when the poise is in that position. As the contacts HI and I12 of the switch I19 controlling the advance of the poise are open during the advance of the poise, because of the closed condition at that time of the main beam switch 59 controlling the solenoid I15, and the contacts HI and I12 control the solenoid I53 of the switch I52 controlling the operation of the weigh conveyor, discharge of material from the weigh conveyor can not take place until the poise has completed its advance to balance the load on the weigh conveyor, and the main beam comes to balance. The contacts I86 and I81 of switch I85 are open during the reverse movement or return of the poise to zero, due to the closed condition at that time of the tare beam switch 84 and of the holding circuit for the solenoid I94 which is then completed through the contacts I89 and I98, so that although the. return movement of the poise causes the tare beam to rise and close switch 85, the discharge motor can not start the weigh conveyor, as the contacts I86 and I81 control the solenoid I53 of the discharge motor switch I52. The contacts I86 and I81 are closed when the poise has returned to its zero position, but starting of the discharge motor at this time is prevented by the limit switch I I3 the contact arm I25 of which is then disengaged from the contact I21, thus opening the circuit of the solenoid I53 of the switch I52.

Although the return of the poise to its zero or starting position causes the tare beam to rise and open the switch 84 in the circuit with the solenoid I 94 of the switch I85 which controls the reverse movement of the poise, the circuit of the solenoid I94 is held closed until the poise completes its return travel by the contacts I89 and I9!) of this switch which are in circuit with the solenoid I94 and are closed while said solenoid is energized and maintain this solenoid in energized condition until the poise has returned to its zero position and the cam I28 has operated the limit switch II3 to disengage its contact arm I25 from the contact I21, whereupon the solenoid I94 is de-energized and the reverse operation of the poise motor is stopped.

The poise motor III is preferably of the type having a brake which is released by a solenoid energized when operating current is supplied to the motor, to prevent over-running of the poise when the operating current to the motor is cut off, such spring applied brake 285 being indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 9, and provided with solenoid 286 which retracts or releases the brake when the respective windings of the motor are energized. Also, to compensate for such over-run of the travelling poise as may take place, the compensating weight 62 may be adjusted along along the lever 6I in one or the other direction. The weight 13 may be adjusted in one or the other direction along the compensating lever 68 connected to the tare beam, according to whether 11 the-weighings discharged fromthe weigh conveyor are light or heavy, thiscompensating lever aiding the tare beam in coming toa balance and stopping the discharge after a weighing hasbeen discharged from the weigh conveyor.

The present invention providesweighing mechanism which is suitable for the weighing of materials of various kinds, although it may be used very advantageously in the weighing of materials which are lumpy and can not be fed'smoothly or compensated, and which are sticky and tend to cling more or less to the Weigh conveyor or other element, and the accurate weighing of which has presented adifiicult problem. The difiiculties have been overcome by the present invention by providing the tare beam with counterweights for balancing a permanent residue to ofi'set the material adhering to the weigh conveyor or other weighing element, and providing the main beam with counterweights for balancing such permanent residue and also weigh weights for balancing thedesired weighings, and providing a travelling poise on the shelf lever which balances out the over-feeds to the Weigh conveyor or other weigh receptacle. In'this manner, compensation for the material falling to the weigh conveyor or weigh receptacle at the moment the feedis cut offisunnecessary to attain accurate weighings, and although considerable and varying amounts of material may fall to the weigh conveyor or receptacle after the feed is stopped, due to the lumpy orsticky nature of the material being weighed, the poise will balance out such over-fed amounts of material. The tare beam controlling the weighing out or discharging operation of the weigh conveyor or receptacle is therefore capable of stopping the discharge of material therefrom when the weight for which the machine is set has been discharged. Since'the amounts of material over-fed in making up'one weighing and remaining on the weigh conveyor or receptacle will be added to the succeeding loads fed thereto, and the poise returns to zero after each discharge, accumulation of such over-feeds does not take place.

The control system provided enables the cycle of operations hereinbefore described to take place automatically.

1' claim:

1. Weighing apparatus comprising, in combination, a weigh receptacle and means for feeding material thereto, weighing mechanism including main andtare beams having means for proportionally balancing the weight of: the weigh receptacle and a predetermined residue of material, the main beamhaving also means for balancing a predetermined desired weighing, and a member connected to and movable with said beams. and having a poise movable'thereon' and of a value to balance an excess weight of material fed to the weigh receptacle, and means controlled by the weighing mechanism for moving said poise into-a position to balance said excess weight, and means controlled by the weighing mechanism and operative while said poise is in aposition to balance said excess weight for discharging material from the weigh receptacle until said residue is balanced.

2. Weighing apparatus comprising, in combination, a weigh receptacle, weighing mechanism including a tare beam having means for balancing a portion of the weight of said receptacle and a predetermined residue supported thereby, and a main beam having means for balancing another portion of the weight of said receptacle and residue and also a predetermined desired weighing, a member connected to said beams to operate therewith and having a poise movable thereon and of a value to balance a weight of material fed to the weigh receptacle in excess of said residue and, desired weighing, means controlled by the weighing mechanism for moving said poise into a position to balance said excess weightof material, and means controlled by the tare beam for discharging material from the weigh receptacle while said poise is in a position to balance the excess weight of material, until the tare beam balances.

3; Weighing apparatus comprising, in combination, a Weigh receptacle, weighing mechanism including main and tare beams having means for conjointly balancing the weight of said receptacle and a predetermined residue of material, the main beam having also means for balancing a predetermined desired weighing, means controlled by the main beam for feeding material to the weigh receptacle and for stopping the feed when said beam balances, a lever connected to and movable with the main and tare beams and having a poise-movable thereon, means controlled bythe weighing mechanism for moving said poise to-balance an excess weight of material supplied tothe weigh receptacle after stopping of the feed, and means controlled by the weighing mechanism for removing material from the weigh receptacle while the poise is in a position to balance said excess of material,- until the tare beam balances.

4. Weighing apparatus comprising, in combination; a. weigh receptacle, weighing mechanism including a tare beam having means for balancing a part of the weight of said receptacle and a predetermined residue of material supported thereby, amain beam having means for balancing another part of the weight of said receptacleand residue and having also means for balancing a predetermined desired weighing, means controlled by the main beam for feeding material to the weigh receptacle and for stopplug the feed, a lever connected to and movable with said beams and having a poise movable-thereon and capable of balancin an excess of: material supplied to the weigh receptacle after stopping of the feed thereto, means controlled by-the weighing mechanism for moving said poise from a given position in a direction to balance said excess of material, means controlled by the weighing mechanism for discharging material from the: weigh receptacle while the poise is in a position to balance said excess of material, until. only said predetermined residue remains thereom. and means controlled by the weighing mechanism for returning the poise to said given position after said discharge has been completed.

5. Weighing apparatus comprising, in combination a weigh receptacle, main and tare beams havingmeans for balancing portions of the weight ot'saidi receptacle and a predetermined residue of; material. supported thereby, the main beam having also means for balancing a predetermined: desired. weighing, means controlled by the main beam for feeding material to the weigh receptacle and for stopping the feed when the mainv beam balances, a lever connected to and movable with said beams and having a poise mcvable from a predetermined position thereon and capable of. balancing an excess of material falling to the weigh conveyor after the main beam balances, means controlled by the main beam foradvancing the poise from said predetermined position on said lever to a position to. balance said 13 excess of material, meanscontrolled by the tare beam for discharging material from the weigh receptacle while the poise occupies said advanced position until'the tare beam balances, and means controlled by the tare beam for causing return of the poise to said predetermined position after the'discharge of material from the weigh receptacle has been completed.

6. Weighing apparatus comprising, in combination, a Weigh receptacle, main and tare beams having means for proportionally balancing the weight of the weigh receptacle and a p e mined permanent residue of material supported thereby, the main beam having also means for balancing a predetermined desired weighing, a conveyor for feeding material to the weigh receptacle, means controlled by the main beam for operating the conveyor to feed material to the weigh receptacle and for stopping said feeding means when the main beam rises, a lever connected to and movable with said beams and having a poise movable from a predetermined position thereon and capable of balancing the weight of an excess of material received by the weigh receptacle after stopping of the conveyor, means controlled by the main beam for advancing the poise from said predetermined position until it balances said excess of material, means controlled by the tare beam for discharging material from the weigh receptacle while the poise is in said advanced position until the tare beam balances, and means controlled by the tare beam for causing return of the poise to said predetermined position after the tare beam comes to balance.

-'7. Weighing apparatus comprising, in combination, means for supporting material to be weighed and including a conveyor for removing material therefrom, means for feeding material to said material supporting means, main and tare beams having means for proportionally balancing the weight of said material supporting means and a predetermined residue of material thereon, the main beam having also means for balancing a predetermined desired weighing, a

member connected to said beams and having a poise movable from a predetermined position thereon to eXert a variable balancing influence upon an excess of material received by the material supporting means after the stopping of the feeding means, means controlled by the main beam for advancing the poise to a position where it balances such excess of material, means controlled by said beams and operative, while the main beam is in balance and the poise occupies such advanced position, to operate said conveyor to discharge material until the tare beam comes to balance, and means controlled by the tare beam and operative after it comes to balance to cause return of the poise to said predetermined position.

8. Weighing apparatus comprising, in combination, a weigh conveyor, main and tare beams having means for proportionally balancing the weight of said conveyor and a predetermined residue of material thereon, the main beam having also means for balancing a predetermined desired weighing on said conveyor, means controlled by the main beam for feeding material to the weigh conveyor and for stopping the feed when the main beam rises, a member connected to said beams and having a poise movable from a predetermined position thereon and capable of balancing the weight of an excess of material falling to the weigh conveyor when the feeding means stops, means controlled by the main beam for advancing the poise from said predetermined position until it balances said excess of material, means controlled by said beams and operative, while the main beam is in balance and the poise occupies its advanced position, to operate the weigh conveyor to discharge material therefrom until the tare beam comes to balance, and means controlled by the tare beam and operative after it comes to balance, to cause return of the poise to said predetermined position.

9. Weighing apparatus comprising, in combination, a weigh conveyor having an electric motor for operating it, means having an electric motor for operating it to feed material to the weigh conveyor, main and tare beams having means for proportionally balancing the weight of the weigh I conveyor and a predetermined residue of material thereon, the main beam having also means for balancing a predetermined desired weighing, a lever connected to and movable with said beams, a poise having an electric motor for driving it from: a predetermined position on said lever to balance an excess of material falling from the feeding means onto the weigh conveyor when the feeding means is stopped, and for returning the poise to said predetermined position, means including electric switch means controlled by the main beam for causing operation of the feeding means by its motor and for stopping the operation thereof when the main beam rises, means including switch beams controlled by the main beam for energizing the poise motor to advance the-poise on said lever until it balances said excess of material, means including switch means controlled by thetare beam for energizing the weigh conveyor motor to operate the weigh conveyor to discharge material therefrom until the tare beam balances, and means including switch means controlled by the tare beam for energizing the poise motor to return the poise to said predetermined position.

10. Weighing apparatus according to claim 9, including switch means controlled by said poise for preventing operation of the motor for the feeding means except while the poise is in said predetermined position.

11. Weighing apparatus according to claim 9, including a switch connected in circuit with the switch means controlled by the main beam for causing operation of the feeding means, and a cam carried by the poise and operative to close said switch when the poise returns to said predetermined position, and to cause opening of said switch when the poise advances from said position.

12. Weighing apparatus according to claim 9, includin a switch connected in circuit with the switch means controlled by the tare beam for causing operation of the weigh conveyor, and means on the poise for opening said switch while the poise is in said predetermined position to prevent discharging operation of the weigh conveyor.

l3. Weighing apparatus according to claim 9, including a limit switch operative by the poise as it reaches a limit in its advance to interrupt the operation of the poise advancing motor and to give a warning signal.

14. Weighing apparatus according to claim 9, including a limit switch operative by the poise during its advance to stop the poise when it reaches a predetermined limit, and another limit switch operative by the poise when it returns to said predetermined position to stop such return movement of the poise.

15". Weighing apparatus comprisinga scale system, a weigh receptacle supported thereby, means controlled by the scale system for feeding material: tov the weigh receptacle in excess of a predeterminedweight, means controlled by the scale system for balancing out the. weight of material in excess of said predetermined weight, means for balancing a lesser predetermined weight of material, and means controlled, bythe scale system for discharging. material from the weigh receptacle while the scale system remains under the influence. of said excess weight balancing out means until the scale system balances said predetermined lesser weight of material.

16. Weighing apparatus comprising a scale system: having a weigh receptacle supported thereby, and counterbalancing means operative to balance the weigh receptacle under the influence of apredetermined weight and also a lesser preset weight of material, means controlled by the scale system for feeding material to the weigh receptacle in an amount'in excess of said predetermined weight, means controlled by the scale system for balancing the weigh receptacle while under the influence of said' excess weight of material, and means controlled by the scale system for discharging material from the weigh receptacle while saidv excess weight balancing means continues its influence on the scale system until the. counterbalancing means balances the scale system at said lesser preset weight. of material.

17; Weighing apparatus'comprising a scale systemha ing a weigh receptacle supported thereby, and counterbalancing means for balancing a, predetermined weight and counterbalancing means for balancing a. lesser predetermined weight of materialsupported by the weigh receptacle, means controlled. by the first-mentioned counterbalancing means for feeding material in excess of said predetermined weight to the weigh receptacle, means controlled by the scale system for balancing the weight of material in excess of said predetermined weight, and'means controlled by the secondmentioned counterbalancing means for discharging material from the weigh receptacle while the 16 scale system remains under the influence ofsaid means for balancing said excess weight of material until the weigh receptacle is balanced by said second-mentioned counterbalancing means,

18. Weighing apparatus comprising a scale system having a weigh receptacle supported thereby and counterbalancing means controlled by operation of the scale system to act thereon to one extent to balance a predetermined weight and to act on the scale system to a reduced extent to balance a lesser preset weight of material acting on the weigh receptacle, means controlled by the scale system for feeding material to the weigh receptacle in an amount in excess of said predetermined weight, auxiliary means to act on the scale system in conjunction with the counterbalancing means while acting to said one extent to balance said predetermined and excess amount of material and thereby bring the scale system to balance, and means controlled by the scale system for discharging material from the weigh receptacle while the counterbalancing means remains under the balancing influence of said auxiliary means until the scale system comes to balance under the influence of the reduced extent of action of the counterbalancing means and said lesser preset weight of material.

PHILIP B. RICHARDSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UN ITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 764,530 James July 5, 1904 1,911,235 Morrow May 30, 1933 1,978,558 Van Der Horst Oct. 30, 1934 1,983,093 Montgomery Dec. 4, 1934 2,040,660 Lenhart May 12, 1936 2,298,967 Richardson Oct. 13, 1942 2,332,438 Clifford Oct. 19, 1943 2,336,347 Cliflford Dec. 7, 1943 2,348,372 Weckerly May 9, 1944 

